Donna Vann
   

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School visits

Talks for adults

School visits

CREATIVE WRITING WORKSHOPS
for key stages 1 - 2 - 3

As a former secondary teacher, I am comfortable with speaking to groups of up to a hundred children.  My Creative Writing Workshop for Key Stages 2 and 3 has been used in all types of schools as well as in libraries

I am available for UK school visits in the Midlands and Warwickshire area, and for occasional school visits in Texas.

Donna in a school group

Children love meeting an author in person!

'We enjoyed having Donna Vann as an honorary member of the English department on World Book Day.  The children thought it was great!'

Head Teacher

'Donna Vann sessions are always very popular, inspiring the children to write their own stories.  I would highly recommend these workshops as while the children are learning they are also enjoying themselves.'

Library Manager

'The children were very excited by the workshops and asked some perceptive questions.'

Literary Co-ordinator

In the workshop, children will learn WHAT MAKES A GOOD STORY:

  • An interesting main character
  • who wants something really important
  • and has to struggle hard to get it

There is plenty of opportunity for questions, as well a chance for the children to design their own story. The Creative Writing Workshop can be tailored to fit individual school needs.  For more information, please
contact me.

Talks for adults:

I also do a variety of talks on the subject of writing, such as

YOUR JOURNEY FROM IDEA TO PUBLICATION
(helps adult writers' groups understand how to develop ideas, plot a story and approach publishers)

UNLOCKING YOUR WRITER'S RIGHT BRAIN
(a workshop on developing creativity)

WHO'D BE A WRITER?
(a humorous talk on the writing life)

Here is a sample handout from one of my adult workshops :

DO YOU WANT TO WRITE FOR CHILDREN?

Can you see the world from a child's point of view?

You need to be able to place yourself in their world emotionally.  I have inside me a self who is about 10 years old and I need to be able get in touch with that child, or my writing will sound patronizing.

Did you love to read as a child?

Watch out, that could be a hindrance!  Beware of writing for the child you were - they may not exist any more.  I try to write for a hybrid child who is partly that dreamy introverted child I was, but partly the modern computer-literate kid.

Can you write in a way which touches emotions?

As a child I played with log cabin blocks, while today's kids have electronic games.  But the emotions have not changed.  Children still experience loneliness, fear, shame, anger, jealousy, joy, just as I did (and do!).  If you can tap into that, your writing can reach the 21st Century child.

Can you tell an exciting story?

You may want to teach your reader something about life, but your story should have entertainment as its initial goal, or children won't be interested. 

Can you learn to make your writing sparkle?

You will have one paragraph or one page at best, to grab the attention of that child who picks up your book and is trying to decide if it's worth reading. 

Do you have vivid memories of a by-gone era?

If so, you might consider historical writing.  Laura Ingalls Wilder based her 'Little House' series on her own childhood in the American Midwest.

Do you spend time with children?

This is essential if you are to relate to their world.  I sometimes lurk near groups of teens in the park while I'm walking the dog, listening to their conversations.  I watch afternoon television once in a while, to see what they find interesting.

Are you willing to do market research?

One of the most common reasons for a publisher to reject a book is that the writer didn't bother to learn what that publisher wants.  Phone up and ask to be sent a current catalogue. (I find catalogues more helpful than websites.)  Spend time in the children's sections of large bookstores and take notes on any trends you spot.  Read the current popular authors.  (A tip:  you can request books from the library to save money, but do your bookstore research first, as the most popular books will be the ones you never see in the library.)  You won't want to copy what's out there, but you should be aware of it.

Read!  Read!  Read!

Take a good look at what kids are reading.  Analyze what you do and don't like.  Try to summarize the book in one sentence.  For example, I wrote a contemporary teen novel based on 'A character who is rejected by others because she is different, sacrifices herself for the sake of a friend.'  That was my one-sentence summary of E.B. White's Charlotte's Web.

Follow your dream!

Writers face daily discouragement and rejection. Yet being a writer who has deep input into young lives is one of the most challenging and fulfilling jobs I can think of.  If that is your passion, I encourage you to go for it!